The ABC of Hockey India League players' auction

New Delhi: The history of Indian hockey is going to turn a new leaf with the Hockey India League (HIL) as it is going to trend on social media 2013 onwards and during the players' auction on Sunday. However, the fate of the sixth franchise remains uncertain 24 hours before the auction.

The ballroom at The Lalit hotel in the capital is supposed to be set abuzz by six city franchises, but as sources told IBNLive on Saturday, the Bangalore franchise remains unsold. However, the auction will go ahead, with the sixth owner to be duly compensated unless the franchise is sold in the eleventh hour before the auction.

The owners will come ready with their think-tank and a list of players to bid for in front pocket. The city-based model and players going under the hammer with a pre-decided base price clearly indicates that cricket's Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to have a cousin called HIL.

All that you want to know about Hockey India's FIH-backed initiative based on the tried and tested city-based model of cricket's IPL.

The razzmatazz began with the unveiling of the league's logo and brand ambassadors - Sardar Singh and Australia's Jamie Dwyer - in September. Hockey India has been preparing ground since then in the run-up to the auction and the league that starts dribbling from January 17, 2013.

With ESPN STAR Sports to broadcast the event for the first five years and International Hockey Federation (FIH) providing a window for the League in its calendar, the HIL has a firm ground to build its launchpad on.

THE FRANCHISES

1. Lucknow: Sahara India Pariwar lived up to its reputation of a staunch supporter of Indian sports by being the first to come forward and buy a franchise.

2. Punjab: Jaypee Group joined the HIL family by becoming the owner of Punjab franchise.

3. Ranchi: Jharkhand will be the third team in the HIL, owned by the Patel-Uniexcel Group.

4. Delhi: The late business magnate Ponty Chaddha's Wave Group bought the Delhi franchise and will continue to support the league even after the tragic and unfortunate demise of its owner.

Just like at the inception of IPL, each HIL franchise will have a marquee player. These players are:

1. Sardar Singh (India)

2. Sandeep Singh (India)

3. SV Sunil (India)

4. Jamie Dwyer (Australia)

5. Teun de Nooijer (Netherlands)

6. Moritz Fuertse (Germany)

AUCTION GUIDELINES:

Total Players: 246

Purse for one franchise: $643000

Each franchise can buy: 24 players for 3 years

Maximum bid amount: $58,700

Minimum base price of an Indian player: $2800

Minimum base price of a foreign player: $5000

AUCTION FORMAT:

- The franchise owners will make silent bids for each of the six marquee players before the actual auction begins. Hockey India will then reveal which marquee player will lead which franchise based on the maximum bids by all the owners.

- Each round of main action will involve bidding for 10 defenders, 10 forwards and 10 midfielders.